Coaxial cable connecting device



Dec. 8, 1964 M. F. OKEEFE ETAL 3,160,456

COAXIAL. CABLE CONNECTING DEVICE Filed July 14, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l Ami:

1964 M. F. O'KEEFE 'ETAL 3, 60, 6

COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTING DEVICE Filed July 14, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 selves.

United States Patent 3,160,456 CQAXIAI. QABLE CONNEETENG DEVIEE Michael F. OKeefe and Robert S. Stirll, Mechanicshurg, Pa, assignors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Fa. Fiied July 14, 1961, Ser. No. 124,192 Claims. (El. 339-92) This invention relates to devices for forming connections among a plurality of coaxial conductor cables.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved connecting device for coaxial conductor cables. A further object is to provide a connecting means for coaxial cables capable of accommodating a relatively large number of cables. A 'still further object is the provision of a connecting device for coaxial cables which is highly flexible in that substantially any desired wiring pattern for coaxial conductors can be achieved by proper arrangement of the cables in the connecting device. A still further object is the provision of a connecting device for coaxial cables in the form of a junction block permitting a plurality of cables to be commonly connected and/or selectivelyconnected with each other.

These and other objects are achieved in a preferred embodiment comprising a dielectric junction block having a plurality of aligned coaxial connectors mounted therein. Each connector has at least two receptacles for the reception of terminals on the ends of cables and comprises a cylindrical outer conductor and a concentrically mounted inner conductor, the two conductors being separated by insulating material. The connectors themselves can take a variety of forms; for example, in oneembodiment of the invention each connector may comprise either a simple T-type connector, 'a straight connector, or an elbow so that two or three coaxial cables can be commonly connected when their terminals are inserted into the two or three receptacles on the connector. In another embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a relatively elongated cylindrical outer conductor and a corresponding inner conductor, with branch recep-' tacles extending from the cylindrical connector at spaced intervals. In either of the foregoing embodiments, the junction block conforms in shape to the connectors them- The cables which are to be connected are advantageously mounted in connector blocks which in turn can be secured to the junction block. In this manner,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIGURE 4 but showing terminals in the receptacles of selective connections can be formed among a plurality I of cables in a single connector block with those in a second connector block or with cables in several other connector blocks by judicious arrangement of individual cables in their connector blocks and by the selection of a proper connecting device in the junction block.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is givenfor purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in'the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use. 1

In the drawing: 7 FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the invention. I 7

FIGURE 2 is a view'of a typical coaxial conductor having a terminal on its end and a T-type connector in accordance with the invention.

' the block; and

FIGURE 6 is a view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

' As shown in FIGURE 2, a typical coaxial conductor comprises a central conductor member 2, a concentric layer of the insulating material 4, a braided conductor 6 in surrounding relationship to the insulation 4 and central conductor 2, and finally an outer'layer of insulation 8 which surrounds the braid 6. In forming electrical connections with conductors of this type, it is necessary to connect the central conductors 2 of each cable with each other and at the same time to connect the braided In some cases, the 1 conductors 6 with each other also. braid 6 merely functions as ashielding for the central conductor 2, however, in many circumstances this outer conductor 6 also carries a separate signal. event, it is necessary toform a reliable connection between the braid conductors of the cables being connected.

A variety of forms of terminals and connecting devices are available for forming simple cable-to-cable connections, that is, to connect the central conductor of one 7 cable with the central conductor of the other cable and,

at the same time, connect their braid conductors. Inv

addition there are some'T-type connectors to form a connection among three separate coaxial cables. Where, however, a relatively complex wiring pattern involving coaxial cables is involved, it is necessary to form all of the connections with the available types of connectors and terminals and/or commonly to connect the central conductors with a group of cables and their braided conductors by soldering and by the use of panels requiring more or less permanent connections. rangement is unsatisfactory since it is time-consuming to make a large number of interconnections among coaxial cables and the wiring pattern can not be changed readily.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 1, there is provided a connecting device for making connections between three separate groups of coaxial cables 35 where each group,

is contained within a single dielectric connector block 34. In accordance with this embodiment there is provided terminals as shown in FIGURE 2, on the ends of each of the cables. These terminals comprise an outer shell 14, a bushing within this shell and a central conductor within the bushing. The outer shell is connected to the braid 6 of the cable while the central conductor is connected to the conductor 2 of the cable. The inner conductor of the terminal comprises a receptacle fora central conductor of a T-connector 8. Advantageously, a spring 15 having rearwardly extending fingersis mounted on the terminals to permit their being retained within.

connector blocks in the manner described below;

The connecting device of FIGURE 1 comprises a junction block generally indicated at 15 which is composed' 7 and having a plurality of openings 26 on its upper surface which communicate with these cavities. The caviwhen the two parts'lb, 29 of the junction block arese cured together by means of screws 21 and nuts23.

Each connecting device 28 comprises a central conductor '30 comprising three arms which are joined at a, central block 31. This central conductor is c'ontained In either This existing arwithin a T-shaped shell 33 and separated therefrom by means of insulating bushings 32. In the disclosed arrangement the ends of the connecting devices serve as receptacles so that connections can be made between, coaxial conductors by merely inserting the terminals on the ends of the cables into the receptacles on the ends of the connectors. .It should be noted that in the disclosed embodiment the terminals on the ends of the cables constitute plugs which are adapted to enter the outer tubular conductor shells 33 of the connectors 23, however, it may prove practical under some circumstances to design the parts. in amanner such that the connectors 28 themselves constitute plugs rather than receptacles. The term receptacles when used in conjunction with these members is intended to denote only that these members electrically engage the terminals on the cables ends.

The cables which are to be interconnected are inserted into openings in the connector blocks 34 until the springs lodge behindshoulders to retain the cable ends in positionas shown in FIGURE 5. Internally threaded socket members 40 having elongated shanks 41 are rotatably mounted on the ends of the blocks for engagement with the threaded arms 44 of a T-shaped member 42 mounted in the junction block. It will thus be apparent that the entire group of cables contained in any one of the connector blocksv 34 of FIGURE 1 can be-engaged with a row of receptacles of connectors 23 by merely engaging the jack screws With the threaded ends 44 of the connecting member 42.

In use, the cables are merely inserted into the appropriate openings of the connector blocks 34 and the blocks are secured to the junction block to form the electrical connections. The wiring pattern ca-n readily be changed by merely removing a cable from its opening in its con-' cured to the junction block by using branched connectors having more than three radial arms; for example, having four or five radial arms. Each of these radial arms would terminate in a receptacle so that the junction block would I thus beable to accommodate five different blocks of terminals.

FIGURES 4-6 show an alternative embodiment of the invention in whichthe connector blocks are secured to the junction block in side-by-side relationship. Similar reference numerals, differentiated by prime marks, are used to denote the parts of the embodiment of FIGURE 4 which correspond to the parts of the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

In this embodiment, the connectors 23 are V 4 separate connector blocks 34 on top of the junction block are connected to a single cable in the end connector block. It is also feasible to connect five cables in a single connector on top of the junction block with a single cable in one of the end connector blocks. This can be done by mounting those connect-or blockson the top of the junction block at right angles to their posit-ion shown inFIG- i. one 4. The elongated rod 42' can not be used with this alternative arrangement since it would interfere with the ends of the connector 28'. Individual screws can, however, be mounted in the junction block to receive the sockets 40'. v

In FIGURES 5 and 6 it will be noted that a cover 48 is provided over the receptacles at the left handends of the connectors 28. It is. desirable to provide such a cover to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into receptacles which are not being used. This cap is used only when it is not desired to utilize the receptacles on the left hand end of FIGURES 5 and 6. When it is desired to use these receptacles, a block 34' is attached to the left hand end of the'junction block.

relatively elongated and haveflseveral branch receptacles 30 extending therefrom. In addition, the ends of the :onnectors constitute receptacles so thatone connector block can bemounted on the junction block at theend' and additional blocks can be secured to thetop of the junc- :ion block. With the arrangement of FIGURES 4' and 5, then, each of the cables in, the end connector. block,

Whichappears at the right of this figure, is selectively :onnected to each of the correspondingly placed cables in each one of the connector blocks secured to the top at the junction block. This arrangement thuspermits a :ommon connection for 6 coaxial conductors although, my number of coaxial conductors can becommonly con- In the embodiment of FIGURE 4, five can in the We claim;

1. A connector assembly fonmechanically and electnically joining groups each of at least three coaxial cables, each cable being of the type having a center conductive path surrounded by an insulating material and an outer conductive path, the assembly comprisingfor-each group of cables a connector receptacle having a center conductive path surrounded by an insulating material and an outer conductive path, the said receptacle including two portions in axial alignment intersected by at least a third portion, each of the said portions being adapted for connectionto corresponding paths of cable, an insulating housing for holding said receptacles including abase member having asubs-tantially flatsurface adapted to. support said receptacles and a block member adapted to be secured to said base member, said block member including a series of aligned cavities each of a'ge'ne ral configuration of a receptacle and each including a first recess adapted to accommodate the receptacle two portions in axial alignment and a recess intersecting said first recess adapted to accommodate the third portion ofth'e receptacle, the surfaces'of said first recess'beingspa'ced with respect to the bottom of said block member to hold said receptacles against saidbasemember when said housing is secured thereagainst whereby said receptacles are held in said housing withcommon receptacle portions in alignment.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein there is further included for the connector receptacle'portions in alignment an insulating connector block adapted to be fitted against a portion of the assembly, said connector block carryinggtherein series of apertures in axial. alignment with 'a givencavity recess, a series of terminals afiixed to coaxial cables secured in said apertures whereby said connector block may be aflixed to said assembly to terminate saidcables in connector receptacles in said assembly.

3. A connector assembly for mechanically and elec- A trically joining groups of at least three coaxial. cables,

series of T-shaped' cavities aligned therein, each of a size to accommodate the volume of a receptacle and each dimensioned to hold a receptacle against saidbase member when said block member is clamped against said base member, a T-shaped insulating block member adapted to be fitted against said first mentioned block, member including afseries of apertures therein housing terminals secured. to coaxial. cables, thesaid T-shaped block member serving to terminate cables tosaid receptacles of said assembly.

sneaaae 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said block member includes the T-shaped cavity housing a T-shaped means for securing said T-shaped blocks to said assembly.

5. An assembly forming electrical connections between the central and outer conductive paths of a plurality of coaxial cables comprising an insulating housing having a base portion including a flat surface and a block portion attached to said base portion including a series of recesses parallel to each other and substantially parallel to said base portion, a series of apertures in said block portion joining each recess, said apertures being parallel to each other and perpendicular to said recess and base portion, a multiple coaxial connector receptacle fitted Within each recess having a body adapted to connect coaxial cables in axial alignment through said block portion, said connector receptacle further including a series of receptacle branches intersecting the connector body and extending through the said apertures of the block portion, the said branches being adapted to connect other coaxial cables, a plurality of insulating members carrying coaxial cables terminated by male connector members adapted to engage said branches, the said plurality of insulating members being adapted to be secured to said housing to maintain the con the male members thereof to receptacle branches of different connector bodies.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,403,642 Draxler July 9, 1946 2,417,369 Luhn Mar. 11, 1947 2,754,487 Carr et a1 July 10, 1956 2,845,604 Jackson et al. July 29, 1958 2,904,771 Burtt et al Sept. 15, 1959 2,930,024 Harbourt Mar. 22, 1960 3,005,131 Melcher et al Oct. 17, 1962 3,025,492 Dupre Mar. 13, 1962 3,034,087 Bohannon May 8, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,110,451 France Oct. 12, 1955 OTHER REFERENCES Electronic Design (publication), December 1960 (page 17 relied on-copy in Scientific Library). 

3. A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR MECHANICALLY AND ELECTRICALLY JOINING GROUPS OF AT LEAST THREE COAXIAL CABLES, EACH OF THE TYPE HAVING A CENTER CONDUCTIVE PATH SURROUNDED BY AN INSULATING MATERIAL AND AN OUTER CONDUCTIVE PATH, THE SAID ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF T-SHAPED COAXIAL RECEPTACLES, EACH HAVING OUTER AND INNER CONDUCTIVE PATHS SPACED BY AN INSULATING MATERIAL, AN INSULATING BASE MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SURFACE ON ONE SIDE THEREOF AND AN INSULATING BLOCK MEMBER HAVING A SERIES OF T-SHAPED CAVITIES ALIGNED THEREIN, EACH OF A SIZE TO ACCOMMODATE THE VOLUME OF A RECEPTACLE AND EACH DIMENSIONED TO HOLD A RECEPTACLE AGAINST SAID BASE MEMBER WHEN SAID BLOCK MEMBER IS CLAMPED AGAINST SAID BASE MEMBER, A T-SHAPED INSULATING BLOCK MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE FITTED AGAINST SAID FIRST MENTIONED BLOCK MEMBER INCLUDING A SERIES OF APERTURES THEREIN HOUSING TERMINALS SECURED TO COAXIAL CABLES, THE SAID T-SHAPED BLOCK MEMBER SERVING TO TERMINATE CABLES TO SAID RECEPTACLES OF SAID ASSEMBLY. 